While we're at it, it's important to note one more factor in boiling crawfish.

Some people swear by "purging" the crawfish before boiling. This process puts the crawfish, just before they are to be boiled, in a salt water bath. The thinking is that the salt water will make them poop, thus "cleaning them out". A typical purge is for about 5-10 minutes.

Another side of the argument is that purging is unnecessary, and in fact puts more stress on the crawfish. I've never understood the latter part of that argument, as I think I'd be stressed as well if I was a crawfish and there was a 42 quart pot of boiling water nearby.

I've seen boils done both ways. You do run the risk of having a few poopy crawfish with the latter method, BUT, you run the risk of cooking dead crawfish with the former method. For the boil that I just did, I didn't purge. In fact, no one I know purges anymore. That was so 1990's. I have been to a boil this season where the guy insists on purging. To each their own.

Now, an interesting argument would be that purging actually pre-seasons the crawfish. I don't know about that. Never noticed, to tell the truth. Rich?